Official opening of the Subiaco rail tunnel and station

The rejuvenation of the industrial wasteland in the heart of Subiaco is closer to reality today following the official opening of the new Subiaco rail tunnel and station by Premier Richard Court.

Formally opening the state-of-the-art facility, Premier Richard Court said the completion of the $35 million tunnel and below ground station had removed the physical barrier between Subiaco and its neighbouring suburbs.

"Undergrounding the railway in Subiaco has liberated former industrial land for new residential, recreational, commercial and civic uses," Mr Court said.

"It will also allow for improved traffic flows through Subiaco."

The Premier said those involved with the construction of the Subiaco rail tunnel and station were to be congratulated for completing the project one a half months ahead of schedule and on budget.

The 900m rail tunnel and below ground station is the major infrastructure project within the boundaries of the 80ha Subi Centro development scheme - one of Australia's most visionary urban renewal projects.

"The Subi Centro redevelopment project is a masterpiece of urban design and planning and illustrates what is possible when all levels of Government and the private sector work together towards a common goal," Mr Court said.

He said the new rail tunnel and station delivered new facilities of international standard to Perth commuters.

"The completion of this project marks another step forward in the implementation of the State Government's plans to improve Perth's public transport network," the Premier said. "The Government's 10-year Better Public Transport Plan and the ‘Transform WA' program will see big changes in public transport in Western Australia over the next decade.

"As each initiative is implemented it will piece together a jigsaw we are working to complete to meet the demands of Perth's commuters into the 21st century."

The projects include the expansion of the Rapid Transit Network, the introduction of the System 21- high quality bus service, the completion of the Circle Route and the Perth Access Plan.

The public transport system will also benefit from a number of initiatives which are part of the Government's transport planning and aimed at improving the flow of traffic throughout Perth.

These include the construction of a second bridge over the Narrows together with a two-directional bus way, from the City Busport to South Street, at a cost of $170 million and the introduction of the Graham Farmer Freeway which will provide another major east west link for traffic wanting to bypass the Central Business District. There will also be an extension of the Mitchell Freeway to Hodges Drive.